Violet

Home Sweet Home

I fiddle with the draw string of the sweatpants Stiles lent me as I sit in the passenger seat of his jeep.

We're only a few blocks away from my house now and I'm extremely nervous.

It's not like my mother's body is still gonna be there, awaiting my return, but I still have a weight in my stomach. I bunch up the cotton of my pants at the knees before straighting it back out and rubbing the knuckles of my fingers.

"You okay?" Stiles must have noticed all of my anxiety, it's practically radiating from me.

"Hmm?" I don't turn my gaze from the front window, watching as the house comes into view.

"Hey." Stiles rests a hand on my bouncing leg as we get closer, getting my attention. "You don't have to do this, I can go in and grab your things for you."

How incredibly sweet, especially considering he hardly knows me.

"I appreciate it." And I genuinely do. "But I can do it, it's just a house right?" I smile at him, putting on a mask of 'okay' while screaming on the inside.

As we pull into the gravel drive, Stiles gives my leg a squeeze, just above the knee. I look down at his hand, I hadn't noticed he'd never removed it. He gives me an encouraging smile before pulling his hand back. I reach for the handle, opening the car door but not getting out. I look back at Stiles who's watching me with those warm pools of honey.

"Come with me?" I ask sheepishly, feeling vulnerable.

"Of course." He smiles and turns the jeep off, taking the keys from the ignition.

I walk up to the the front door, Stiles following close behind me. I grab the spare key from above the door frame, having to stand on my tip toes to do so. I smile when I see Stiles reflection in the storm door, checking me out. When I turn back to look at him he quickly looks up to the sky, scratching behind his ear at an attempt to look casual.

He's adorable.

I shake my head as I turn back to unlock the door. I turn the knob, stepping into the house slowly. I stop in the doorway, re-living the scene that occurred right in front of me less than twenty-four hours ago. The storm door closes behind Stiles and I jump at the sound. I don't move, squeezing the house key in my hand, the metal digging into my flesh.

"Vi?" I feel a supportive hand on my shoulder.

Those relentless tears try to force their way from my eyes again.

I blink rapidly, shrugging out of his touch and walking past the blood stained hardwood towards the stairs. I hear his footsteps behind me but he keeps quiet.

We get to my room, the sweet apple scent I left burning in my wax melt fills the space. I smile as I walk in, feeling a hint of normalcy. I sit on my bed and lay back, sighing deeply. Stiles joins me, propping a hand under his head.

"Cute room." He compliments, taking in my soft girl decor.

My walls are lilac, string lights with clips holding pictures of me and my friends from school cover the wall above my white oak desk; the bedspread we lay on is a pink and purple galaxy.

"Might be overdoing the purple though." He takes an amythest strand in his hand and tucks it behind my ear.

I enjoy his touch as it lingers against my cheek. We gaze at each other for a moment before I roll to my stomach, propping my hands under my chin. Again, I see Stiles looking at my body from the corner of my eye.

I put on a show, putting my hands down and rubbing them up the comforter in a deep stretch, being sure to poke my butt out, shirt riding up my back. I almost giggle when I hear an audible gulp from Stiles. I finish my stretch and get off the bed, walking towards my closet. As I look at all of my clothes, shoes, jackets and accessories, I become a bit overwhelmed.